Twenty20 is a welcome distraction

THE worst-case scenario occurred at the weekend when all four of our local CLL teams crashed out of the John Willie Lees Wood Cup.

The prestige – and perhaps more importantly – the welcome financial rewards associated with a prolonged cup run will not be forthcoming for Royton, Oldham, Crompton and Werneth, who must have been desperate for success in the competition.

With perhaps only the former viable challengers for league honours this term, much of the interest for this season would already have vanished.

But the introduction of a battle for places in next year’s Premier Division has changed all that.

AMBITIONS
All four clubs have something to play for – Royton followers will insist their ambitions are slightly higher than a top-eight berth – and that is something the decision-makers at the CLL should be applauded for.

It might have taken them a year or two too long to get there, but they did so by approving the CLL steering committee’s recommendation and at least games in 2012 will have some meaning even if those involved are not in the title race.

Royton are the best-placed local club in joint sixth with 15 points, while Crompton are three points behind them in 10th.

Oldham are joint 13th alongside Werneth, who have been surprising strugglers given their squad strength.

The performances of the latter side remain a mystery and skipper Matt Taylor cut a frustrated figure as he trudged around Middleton’s Towncroft ground during his team’s batting collapse and subsequent cup exit on Sunday.

“We will just have to play for a top-eight finish now,” he told me as he watched his team’s woes in the middle.

Taylor’s sentiment will have been echoed by fellow skippers Alan Durose (Royton), Zafar Jatoi (Oldham) and Carl Taylor (Crompton), but tomorrow sees the start of a competition which usually provides a welcome distraction from the routine of the league programme.

The Lees Bitter Twenty20 Competition is loved by many players, but hated by one or two who see it as an intrusion into their Friday night social activities.

Given decent weather – and the forecast remains excellent for tomorrow– these matches are usually entertaining to watch and attract decent crowds.

Perhaps the biggest turn-out will be at the Coppice, where Werneth host Oldham. Short boundaries square of the wicket usually lead to plenty of sixes, so a runfest is on the cards.

Royton, who are in the same South-East group as Werneth and Oldham, travel to Ashton.

And Crompton go to Littleborough for the opening fixture in a North-East group which also includes Walsden and Milnrow.

Twenty20 fixtures –

Monton and Weaste v Unsworth; Middleton v Rochdale; Radcliffe v Clifton; Norden v Heywood; Ashton v Royton; Littleborough v Crompton; Werneth v Oldham; Walsden v Milnrow.